President Donald Trump addressed his recent “I’m the boss” comment made during the G7 summit, clarifying that it was intended as a joke. In an interview with Axios, Trump said he was merely “being funny” and “being cute.”
The comment gained attention during the summit in France, where leaders of major Western economies met to discuss global security and economic coordination. Trump’s explanation provides his first detailed account of the moment, amidst his administration’s emphasis on leverage and influence on the global stage. Newsweek reached out to the White House for a comment via an online form.
Recalling the incident, Trump described a formal setting and maintained the comment was not an assertion of authority. “I was just being funny,” Trump explained to Axios’ Marc Caputo. “I wasn’t trying to be the boss.”
Trump elaborated on the setting that led to the remark. “What happened is, they’re all sitting, and then I walked into the room. It was just sort of funny because there was a very long table, but only seven of them. The table was meant for around 30 people,” he said. “I saw them all sitting, they’re well-known figures, the heads of countries…I walked in, looked at them, and said, ‘I’m the boss and you remember.’ And, you know, that was just done as a joke.”
When asked how many leaders believed he was the boss, Trump replied, “All of them.” He added, “This thing got carried all over the world. I can’t believe it. I was just being cute, funny. I wasn’t trying to be the boss.”
Trump Emphasizes Power and Dominance
Trump described the summit focusing on control and outcomes, asserting it was a powerful meeting. “I feel it’s a very powerful administration right now,” Trump told Axios, suggesting his second term is more powerful than the first.
The president considered the summit highly successful. “We got what I wanted,” he noted, describing it as a “very dominant G7.” This reflects Trump’s approach to foreign policy, focusing on strength, especially after recent geopolitical tensions with Iran.
Controversies Following G7 Summit
The “I’m the boss” remark was not the only diplomatic issue from the summit. A dispute arose between Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Italy’s foreign minister canceled a planned U.S. visit after Trump claimed Meloni had “begged” for a photograph. “She wanted a picture with me so badly,” Trump told Italy’s La7 broadcaster. “I wouldn’t have taken it, but I felt sorry for her.”
Meloni responded on social media, expressing surprise and stating his account was fabricated. “Neither I nor Italy ever beg,” she added.
In a phone interview with NBC News, Trump stood by his claim regarding Meloni. “That’s true,” the president stated. “She wasn’t there for us.” He also commented on her presence, saying, “She was a big fan, but I don’t want her as a fan because she was not there — along with the NATO group — having to do with the strait.” This refers to the Strait of Hormuz, an area Iran effectively closed after attacks from Israel and the U.S. earlier this year.
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